The services they provide the agricultural industry by eating insects have been estimated to be worth anywhere from $3.7 billion to $53 billion per year, according to a study by the University of Pretoria (South Africa), USGS, University of Tennessee a

No, this study did not account for the detrimental effects of pesticides on ecosystems nor the economic benefits of bats suppressing pest insects in forests, both of which may be considerable.
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Scientists believe that White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is transmitted primarily from bat to bat. There is a strong possibility that it may also be transmitted by humans inadvertently carrying the fungus from cave to cave on their clothing and gear.

An extensive network of state and federal agencies is working to investigate the cause, source and spread of bat deaths associated with White-nose Syndrome (WNS), and to develop management strategies to minimize the impacts of WNS.

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Mount St. Helens Postage Stamp

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